Research
Research by Andrea Chiocca on multiaxial fatigue, residual stresses, welded structures, additive manufacturing, and computational mechanics.
My research combines numerical modelling, analytical methods, and experimental testing to assess the structural integrity of engineering materials and components. The areas below connect my research activities to representative publications.
Multiaxial fatigue and critical plane methods
I investigate efficient methods for evaluating critical plane damage parameters and assessing fatigue under complex loading. Topics include closed-form and semi-analytical algorithms, proportional and non-proportional loading, and the Effective Critical Plane approach.
Representative publications:
- Fatigue assessment through the Effective Critical Plane factor (2024).
- A closed-form solution for evaluating the Findley critical plane factor (2024).
- An efficient algorithm for critical plane factors evaluation (2023).
Representative extensions include ductile cast iron under non-proportional loading and a perspective on notched components. Related ECP datasets support reproducibility.
Further explanations are available in my research notes.
Residual stresses and welded structures
I study how welding processes generate residual stresses and how these stresses affect fatigue life. This work combines thermal-structural simulations with experimental measurements and fatigue testing.
Representative publications:
- Influence of residual stresses on the fatigue life of welded joints: numerical simulation and experimental tests (2022).
- Evaluation of residual stresses in a pipe-to-plate welded joint (2021).
The 2026 welded-joints study connects ECP predictions to weld-metal and base-metal calibration. Its supporting data are archived separately.
Additive manufacturing and material behaviour
My work includes numerical and experimental assessment of additively manufactured structures, representative structure elements, and process-related thermal effects.
Representative outputs:
- Representative structure elements for the fatigue assessment of additively manufactured components (2021).
- Technological implications of the Rosenthal solution for welding and additive manufacturing (2022).
- Effects of coating on the fatigue endurance of FDM lattice structures (2022).
Component testing and industrial applications
Experimental methods include static and fatigue testing at controlled temperatures, strain measurement, vibration measurements and thermal monitoring. My 2025 study of thermoset and thermoplastic composites addresses temperature effects. Hybrid SPR-joint tensile data are also available.
The academic CV documents work on composite materials and joints, automotive components, and printed circuit board assemblies. Related publications include dynamic characterisation of PCB assemblies for fatigue analysis and fatigue assessment of a Formula SAE rear upright.
International collaborations
Co-Leader of Working Group 3 (Fatigue Estimation Competition), COST Action CA23109 — Fatigue Benchmark Repository (FABER). International collaboration on benchmarking and the comparison of fatigue-life prediction methods. Working group · COST Action.
The FABEST participant package supports a blind fatigue-life prediction competition. Separately, my multiaxial fatigue repository contributes to the WG4.3 methodological comparison and review activity.
Research visits include Czech Technical University in Prague (FABER WG6, June 2026), Aarhus University (Circle U., January 2026), NTNU (Erasmus+, July 2024), and Fraunhofer LBF (doctoral research, February–June 2021).
Selected collaborative projects
- PRA 2022, University of Pisa (2022–2024): project co-lead for optimisation of extrusion-based additive manufacturing of metal and ceramic components.
- PRIN PNRR 2022 (2025): team member on experimental characterisation, theoretical modelling and CAE simulation of hybrid joints between dissimilar metals for lightweight vehicle structures.
- PON 2014–2020 programme (2022–2025): research on structural integrity in automotive applications, including collaboration with Pierburg Pump Technology Italy / Rheinmetall.
Research environment
I work in the machine design group in the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering at the University of Pisa. Previous research experience at Fraunhofer LBF and industrial research activities are documented in the CV.
For scientific enquiries and potential collaborations, please contact me by email.